The impending doom of the road-registered four-cylinder 600cc Supersport class hasn’t deterred Kawasaki, with the Green Machine throwing a raft of cosmetic, mechanical and electronic updates at its Ninja ZX-6R for 2024.
KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-6R UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS
- Updated 636cc in-line four-cylinder DOHC engine
- Ninja ZX-10R inspired styling
- LED headlight and turn signals
- New TFT instrumentation
- Smartphone connectivity
- Integrated riding modes
- New 310mm front discs
- New cam profiles
- New Intake funnels
- New lead and collector pipe layout
Although the Ninja’s 636cc liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder DOHC four-stroke engine remains relatively unchanged for 2024, Kawasaki has made intake funnel and cam profile revisions aimed at improving low-end performance and helping the ZX-6R meet strict Euro-5 emission requirements.
The Ninja ZX-6R’s exhaust design has come in for attention, with the header pipes, including joint pipes and the collector pipe featuring a revised layout for cleaner emissions. A new exhaust pre-chamber helps reduce the volume of the new all-black silencer, which is claimed to also improve mass centralisation presumably because of its lower weight and smaller overall size.
Kawasaki state that these ‘precise settings’ contribute to a reduction in engine emissions while also “ensuring that power and torque feelings are maintained.” The feeling might be there but claimed maximum power drops from 100 kW at 13,500rpm to 95.2 kW at 13,000rpm, while torque drops also, from 70.8Nm at 11,000 rpm to 69Nm at 11,000 rpm.
The pressed-aluminium perimeter frame, Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) fork, and Nissin braking package remain unchanged with the exception of the semi-floating 310mm front brake rotors which are now round rather than the petal style Kawasaki has been running for a number of years.
Wheel size, style and construction remain unchanged, however, the ZX-6R now rolls on Pirelli Diablo Ross IV rubber rather than the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22s of the previous model.
The most obvious of the updates is the Ninja’s new ZX-10R-inspired styling that includes a compact new LED headlight and a smaller, sportier screen.
The front cowl’s new layered design features winglet-style inlets and angled chin spoilers that are designed to help keep the wind off the rider, unlike the Ninja ZX-10R’s horizontal chin spoilers, which are used to create downforce.
A new 4.3” full-colour TFT dash with smartphone connectivity, replaces the analogue and LCD unit from the previous model with the new dash utilising Bluetooth technology that allows riders to connect their smartphone to their bike wirelessly via Kawasaki’s “RIDEOLOGY THE APP”. Once connected the Rideology app provides access to vehicle info like fuel level, odometer, maintenance schedule, the ZX-6R’s riding log (GPS route information, as well as vehicle running information, can be logged and viewed), phone notifications, and general settings such as preferred units, and date format.
For the first time, the ZX-6R now features a selection of ride modes that allow you to alter traction control and power output settings. The ZX-6R is equipped with three preset modes (Sport, Road, Rain) as well a Rider mode that allows you to build your own mode based on your preferences.
While the changes to the 2024 ZX-6R may be minimal overall, it’s good to see Team Green still giving the Supersport category some love.
No pricing or ETA has been announced for the 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R FRT Edition but we don’t expect the price to rise a huge amount above the 2023 model’s $16,178 (plus on-roads) price.
